D3 Semifinals: No. 2 Kettle Moraine Lutheran vs. No. 3 Xavier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D3 is next up on the preview docket. Like last season, this division is up in the air. All four teams that made the state tournament upset teams en route to the Resch Center, so let's talk about them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kettle Moraine Lutheran</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There isn't a team with as many scrappy guards as Kettle Moraine Lutheran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching them play is an experience. One thing that is intriguing when you watch them play is the set role each kid has. For instance, [player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring'] is where most of their offense comes from, and it's why she's had games at or around 40 points. Luehring will have the ball in her hands down the stretch because every kid and coach on that team trusts her to make good decisions with the ball in her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other kid who had an excellent season is [player_tooltip player_id='448261' first='Madeline' last='Leffel']. The athletic 5-10 wing provides her guards with space to attack the basket. She may not have been as consistent as the top shooters in the state, but when she gets on a hot streak, she can make six or seven threes in a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other kid who'll stand out is their senior, Taylor Schwalemberg. She has the best blend of power and athleticism in a guard I've seen. She's also a gifted on-ball defender who'll likely guard the other team's best ball handler for the entire game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They're a team that can score in bunches, and if the opposing guards aren't at their best, the Chargers will turn them over the entire game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Xavier</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks scheduled murder's row in their non-conference schedule, and it's paying dividends at this point in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their backcourt is talented but youthful and has struggled against some talented backcourts this season, but it's made them better. Carysn Stempa has been much better than I expected and has created well off the dribble. The healthy Krull sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='766619' first='Joy' last='Krull'] and [player_tooltip player_id='751258' first='Elle' last='Krull'] have stepped up in their ways this season, especially Elle. The 2027 guard has been one of their most reliable offensive options all year and earned a starring role, even though she's mostly come off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='267000' first='Halle' last='Vande Hey'] is a difference-maker when she's at her best. She's an athletic multi-sport kid who can do a little of everything on both ends of the floor. She can guard multiple positions, finish in traffic, knock down a few perimeter shots if she's open, and pass a little out of the high post. If the Hawks win this thing, check how well she played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks have a talented backcourt like every other team in D3's state tournament, but they have been inconsistent. They could lose quickly against KML and get blown out, or dominate on Thursday and Saturday and win a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted Winner: Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->